1
|
Agarbati A, Gattucci S, Canonico L, Ciani M, Comitini F. Yeast communities related to honeybees: occurrence and distribution in flowers, gut mycobiota, and bee products. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:175. [PMID: 38276993 PMCID: PMC10817854 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12942-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Honeybee (Apis mellifera) is an important agricultural pollinator and a model for sociality. In this study, a deep knowledge on yeast community characterizing the honeybees' environmental was carried out. For this, a total of 93 samples were collected: flowers as food sources, bee gut mycobiota, and bee products (bee pollen, bee bread, propolis), and processed using culture-dependent techniques and a molecular approach for identification. The occurrence of yeast populations was quantitatively similar among flowers, bee gut mycobiota, and bee products. Overall, 27 genera and 51 species were identified. Basidiomycetes genera were predominant in the flowers while the yeast genera detected in all environments were Aureobasidium, Filobasidium, Meyerozyma, and Metschnikowia. Fermenting species belonging to the genera Debaryomyces, Saccharomyces, Starmerella, Pichia, and Lachancea occurred mainly in the gut, while most of the identified species of bee products were not found in the gut mycobiota. Five yeast species, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Debaryomyces hansenii, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora guilliermondii, and Starmerella roseus, were present in both summer and winter, thus indicating them as stable components of bee mycobiota. These findings can help understand the yeast community as a component of the bee gut microbiota and its relationship with related environments, since mycobiota characterization was still less unexplored. In addition, the gut microbiota, affecting the nutrition, endocrine signaling, immune function, and pathogen resistance of honeybees, represents a useful tool for its health evaluation and could be a possible source of functional yeasts. KEY POINTS: • The stable yeast populations are represented by M. guilliermondii, D. hansenii, H. uvarum, H. guilliermondii, and S. roseus. • A. pullulans was the most abondance yeast detective in the flowers and honeybee guts. • Aureobasidium, Meyerozyma, Pichia, and Hanseniaspora are the main genera resident in gut tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Agarbati
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Silvia Gattucci
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Canonico
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ciani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesca Comitini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bhardwaj S, Singh S, Ganguly I, Bhatia AK, Dixit SP. Deciphering local adaptation of native Indian cattle ( Bos indicus) breeds using landscape genomics and in-silico prediction of deleterious SNP effects on protein structure and function. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:86. [PMID: 36816754 PMCID: PMC9931982 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03493-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
India has 50 registered breeds of native cattle (Bos indicus) which are locally adapted to diverse environmental conditions. This study aimed to investigate the genomic basis of adaptation of native Indian cattle and to predict the impact of key SNPs on the amino acid changes that affect protein function. The Illumina 777 K BovineHD BeadChip was used to genotype 178 native cattle belonging to contrasting landscapes and agro-climatic conditions. The genotype-environment association was investigated with R. SamBada, using 5,74,382 QC passed SNPs and 11 predictor variables (10 multi-collinearity controlled environmental variables and 1 variable as "score of PCA" on ancestry coefficients of individuals). In total, 1,12,780 models were selected as significant (q < 0.05) based on G score. The pathway ontology of the annotated genes revealed many important pathways and genes having a direct and indirect role in cold and hot adaptation. Only ten SNP variants had a SIFT score of < 0.05 (deleterious), and only two of them, each lying in the genes CRYBA1 and USP18, were predicted to be deleterious with high confidence. RaptorX predicted the tertiary structures of proteins encoded by wild and mutant variants of these genes. The quality of the models was determined using Ramachandran plots and RaptorX parameters, indicating that they are accurate. RaptorX and I-Mutant 2.0 softwares revealed significant differences among wild and mutant proteins. Adaptive alleles identified in the present investigation might be responsible for the local adaptation of these cattle breeds. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03493-3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Bhardwaj
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001 India
| | - Sanjeev Singh
- Animal Genetics Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana 132001 India
| | - Indrajit Ganguly
- Animal Genetics Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana 132001 India
| | - Avnish Kumar Bhatia
- Animal Genetics Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana 132001 India
| | - S. P. Dixit
- Animal Genetics Division, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana 132001 India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marcelino J, Braese C, Christmon K, Evans JD, Gilligan T, Giray T, Nearman A, Niño EL, Rose R, Sheppard WS, vanEngelsdorp D, Ellis JD. The Movement of Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) Among United States and Territories: History, Benefits, Risks, and Mitigation Strategies. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.850600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Beekeeping is a cornerstone activity that has led to the human-mediated, global spread of western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) outside their native range of Europe, western Asia, and Africa. The exportation/importation of honey bees (i.e., transfer of honey bees or germplasm between countries) is regulated at the national level in many countries. Honey bees were first imported into the United States in the early 1600’s. Today, honey bee movement (i.e., transport of honey bees among states and territories) is regulated within the United States at the state, territory, and federal levels. At the federal level, honey bees present in the country (in any state or territory) can be moved among states and territories without federal restriction, with the exception of movement to Hawaii. In contrast, regulations at the state and territory levels vary substantially, ranging from no additional regulations beyond those stipulated at the federal level, to strict regulations for the introduction of live colonies, packaged bees, or queens. This variability can lead to inconsistencies in the application of regulations regarding the movement of honey bees among states and territories. In November 2020, we convened a technical working group (TWG), composed of academic and USDA personnel, to review and summarize the (1) history of honey bee importation into/movement within the United States, (2) current regulations regarding honey bee movement and case studies on the application of those regulations, (3) benefits associated with moving honey bees within the United States, (4) risks associated with moving honey bees within the United States, and (5) risk mitigation strategies. This review will be helpful for developing standardized best practices for the safe movement of honey bees between the 48 contiguous states and other states/territories within the United States.
Collapse
|
4
|
Tanasković M, Erić P, Patenković A, Erić K, Mihajlović M, Tanasić V, Kusza S, Oleksa A, Stanisavljević L, Davidović S. Further Evidence of Population Admixture in the Serbian Honey Bee Population. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020180. [PMID: 35206752 PMCID: PMC8879341 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The western honey bee is one of the most ecologically and economically important pollinator species. Due to human interference, it faces serious challenges, not only in number decline and habitat loss, but also in natural subspecies diversity and distribution. The conservation of genetic diversity and perseverance of locally adapted populations and subspecies becomes a crucial task in the face of rapid environmental changes. In order to further assess present genetic variability in Serbian honey bee populations, we analyzed 14 microsatellite loci and then compared nine of them with previously published data. Our results suggest that Serbia now harbors a distinct, relatively homogenous honey bee population, although some local differences are still preserved. Abstract Socioeconomic interests and beekeeper preferences have often taken precedence over the conservation of locally native honey bee subspecies, leading to the predominance of admixture populations in human-dominated areas. To assess the genetic diversity of contemporary managed Serbian honey bee colonies, we used 14 microsatellite loci and analyzed 237 worker bees from 46 apiaries in eight localities of northern and southern Serbia. Furthermore, we compared data for nine microsatellite loci with 338 individuals from Italy, Hungary, Poland, and Spain. The standard parameters of genetic diversity in Serbian honey bee populations were in line with other analyses, although somewhat smaller. STRUCTURE analysis showed the existence of two equally distributed genetic clusters and Analysis of molecular variances could not confirm the presence of a geographically discrete population but showed local differences. Discriminant analysis of principal components showed overlapping of worker bees from different parts of Serbia. Clear genetic differentiation can be observed when comparing all populations between geographical regions and their corresponding subspecies. The absence of the A. m. macedonica subspecies from its historical distribution range in southern Serbia as well as the lack of distinctive geographical groups suggest that selective breeding, queen import, and migratory beekeeping practices strongly influence the genetic structure and diversity of honey bees, leading to the genetic uniformization and creation of the admixture population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Tanasković
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (P.E.); (A.P.); (K.E.); (S.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Pavle Erić
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (P.E.); (A.P.); (K.E.); (S.D.)
| | - Aleksandra Patenković
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (P.E.); (A.P.); (K.E.); (S.D.)
| | - Katarina Erić
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (P.E.); (A.P.); (K.E.); (S.D.)
| | - Milica Mihajlović
- Center for Forensic and Applied Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Vanja Tanasić
- Center for Forensic and Applied Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Szilvia Kusza
- Centre for Agricultural Genomics and Biotechnology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Andrzej Oleksa
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 10, 85-090 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | | | - Slobodan Davidović
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (P.E.); (A.P.); (K.E.); (S.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Geometric morphology and population genomics provide insights into the adaptive evolution of Apis cerana in Changbai Mountain. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:64. [PMID: 35045823 PMCID: PMC8772121 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08298-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Exploration of adaptive evolution of organisms in response to environmental change can help to understand the evolutionary history of species and the underlying mechanisms of adaptation to local environments, thus guiding future conservation programmes. Before the introduction of Apis mellifera in China, eastern honey bees (Apis cerana) were the only species used for beekeeping in this region. In the mountains of Changbai, populations of A. cerana are considered a distinct ecotype of the species which formed through the distinct selective pressures in this area over time.
Result
We performed a measure of 300 wing specimens of eastern honey bees and obtained the geometric morphological variation in the wing of A. cerana in Changbai Mountain. A total of 3,859,573 high-quality SNP loci were yielded via the whole-genome resequencing of 130 individuals in 5 geographic regions.
Conclusion
Corresponding geometric morphology and population genomics confirmed the particularity of the A. cerana in Changbai Mountain. Genetic differentiation at the subspecies level exists between populations in Changbai Mountain and remaining geographic regions, and a significant reduction in the effective population size and an excessive degree of inbreeding may be responsible for a substantial loss of population genetic diversity. Candidate genes potentially associated with cold environmental adaptations in populations under natural selection were identified, which may represent local adaptations in populations. Our study provided insights into the evolutionary history and adaptation of A. cerana in Changbai Mountain, as well as its conservation.
Collapse
|
6
|
Patterson Rosa L, Eimanifar A, Kimes AG, Brooks SA, Ellis JD. Attack of the dark clones the genetics of reproductive and color traits of South African honey bees (Apis mellifera spp.). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260833. [PMID: 34905583 PMCID: PMC8670704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The traits of two subspecies of western honey bees, Apis mellifera scutellata and A.m. capensis, endemic to the Republic of South Africa (RSA), are of biological and commercial relevance. Nevertheless, the genetic basis of important phenotypes found in these subspecies remains poorly understood. We performed a genome wide association study on three traits of biological relevance in 234 A.m. capensis, 73 A.m. scutellata and 158 hybrid individuals. Thirteen markers were significantly associated to at least one trait (P ≤ 4.28 × 10−6): one for ovariole number, four for scutellar plate and eight for tergite color. We discovered two possible causative variants associated to the respective phenotypes: a deletion in GB46429 or Ebony (NC_007070.3:g.14101325G>del) (R69Efs*85) and a nonsense on GB54634 (NC_007076.3:g.4492792A>G;p.Tyr128*) causing a premature stop, substantially shortening the predicted protein. The mutant genotypes are significantly associated to phenotypes in A.m. capensis. Loss-of-function of Ebony can cause accumulation of circulating dopamine, and increased dopamine levels correlate to ovary development in queenless workers and pheromone production. Allelic association (P = 1.824 x 10−5) of NC_007076.3:g.4492792A>G;p.Tyr128* to ovariole number warrants further investigation into function and expression of the GB54634 gene. Our results highlight genetic components of relevant production/conservation behavioral phenotypes in honey bees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Patterson Rosa
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amin Eimanifar
- Independent Senior Research Scientist, Industrial District, Easton, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Abigail G. Kimes
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samantha A. Brooks
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - James D. Ellis
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wood ZT, Wiegardt AK, Barton KL, Clark JD, Homola JJ, Olsen BJ, King BL, Kovach AI, Kinnison MT. Meta-analysis: Congruence of genomic and phenotypic differentiation across diverse natural study systems. Evol Appl 2021; 14:2189-2205. [PMID: 34603492 PMCID: PMC8477602 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Linking genotype to phenotype is a primary goal for understanding the genomic underpinnings of evolution. However, little work has explored whether patterns of linked genomic and phenotypic differentiation are congruent across natural study systems and traits. Here, we investigate such patterns with a meta-analysis of studies examining population-level differentiation at subsets of loci and traits putatively responding to divergent selection. We show that across the 31 studies (88 natural population-level comparisons) we examined, there was a moderate (R 2 = 0.39) relationship between genomic differentiation (F ST ) and phenotypic differentiation (P ST ) for loci and traits putatively under selection. This quantitative relationship between P ST and F ST for loci under selection in diverse taxa provides broad context and cross-system predictions for genomic and phenotypic adaptation by natural selection in natural populations. This context may eventually allow for more precise ideas of what constitutes "strong" differentiation, predictions about the effect size of loci, comparisons of taxa evolving in nonparallel ways, and more. On the other hand, links between P ST and F ST within studies were very weak, suggesting that much work remains in linking genomic differentiation to phenotypic differentiation at specific phenotypes. We suggest that linking genotypes to specific phenotypes can be improved by correlating genomic and phenotypic differentiation across a spectrum of diverging populations within a taxon and including wide coverage of both genomes and phenomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T. Wood
- School of Biology and EcologyUniversity of MaineOronoMEUSA
- Maine Center for Genetics in the EnvironmentOronoMEUSA
| | - Andrew K. Wiegardt
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNHUSA
| | - Kayla L. Barton
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical SciencesUniversity of MaineOronoMEUSA
| | - Jonathan D. Clark
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNHUSA
| | - Jared J. Homola
- Department of Fisheries and WildlifeMichigan State UniversityEast LansingMIUSA
| | - Brian J. Olsen
- Maine Center for Genetics in the EnvironmentOronoMEUSA
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of MaineOronoMEUSA
| | - Benjamin L. King
- Department of Molecular & Biomedical SciencesUniversity of MaineOronoMEUSA
| | - Adrienne I. Kovach
- Department of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentUniversity of New HampshireDurhamNHUSA
| | - Michael T. Kinnison
- School of Biology and EcologyUniversity of MaineOronoMEUSA
- Maine Center for Genetics in the EnvironmentOronoMEUSA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alabdali EAA, Ghramh HA, Ibrahim EH, Ahmad Z, Asiri AN. Characterization of the native honey bee ( Apis mellifera jemenitica) in the south western region of Saudi Arabia using morphometric and genetic (mtDNA COI) characteristics. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:2278-2284. [PMID: 33911943 PMCID: PMC8071817 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera jemenitica incorporates a few perceived subspecies that vary in their natural properties and farming qualities. Mitochondrial COI gene sequence (mtCOI) has not been used before for bee identification in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. The aim of this work was to study the morphometry and analyzing the mtCOI of all collected bees. The nucleotide sequence of the mtCOI gene was analyzed. Similarity searches and distances between each obtained DNA and sequences available in GenBank were made. Morphometric analysis revealed close similarities among the studied bees, but these similarities are different from those previously indicated in earlier studies of the same region. Molecular studies revealed that the collected bees are similar to each other and some other sequences found in GenBank, but these bees are a new hybrid or subspecies that are different from those previously reported in the same region, indicating the emergence of a new hybrid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enas A A Alabdali
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamed A Ghramh
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.,Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.,Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam H Ibrahim
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.,Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.,Blood Products Quality Control and Research Department, National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals, Cairo, 12611, Egypt
| | - Zubair Ahmad
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.,Biology Department, Faculty of Arts and sciences, Zahran al-Janobe, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asma N Asiri
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.,Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Eimanifar A, Pieplow JT, Asem A, Ellis JD. Genetic diversity and population structure of two subspecies of western honey bees ( Apis mellifera L.) in the Republic of South Africa as revealed by microsatellite genotyping. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8280. [PMID: 31915579 PMCID: PMC6944124 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera scutellata and Apis mellifera capensis, two native subspecies of western honey bees in the Republic of South Africa (RSA), are important to beekeepers in their native region because beekeepers use these bees for honey production and pollination purposes. Additionally, both bees are important invasive pests outside of their native ranges. Recently, whole mitogenome sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to study their genetic diversity. To add to our knowledge of the molecular ecology of both bees, we tested the ability of microsatellites to be used as a tool to discriminate between A.m. capensis and A.m. scutellata. We analyzed the genetic variability and overall population structure of both bee subspecies and hybrids of the two by genotyping individuals collected from RSA (N = 813 bees from 75 apiaries) at 19 microsatellite DNA loci. Overall, populations averaged between 9.2 and 11.3 alleles per locus, with unbiased heterozygosity values ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 per population. Bayesian clustering analyses revealed two distinct evolutionary units, though the results did not match those of earlier morphometric and molecular analyses. This suggests that the microsatellites we tested were not sufficient for subspecies identification purposes, especially for Cape and hybrid bees. Nevertheless, the microsatellite data highlight the considerable genetic diversity within both populations and a larger-than-expected hybridization zone between the natural distributions of A.m. capensis and A.m. scutellata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amin Eimanifar
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Independent Senior Scientist, Industrial District, Easton, MD, USA
| | - Johanna T Pieplow
- Molekulare Ökologie, Institut Für Biologie, Molekulare Ökologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Alireza Asem
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Yucai Road, Sanya, China
| | - James D Ellis
- Entomology and Nematology Department, Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Gainesville, FL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Structural diversity and functional variability of gut microbial communities associated with honey bees. Microb Pathog 2020; 138:103793. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
11
|
Yancan L, Tianle C, Yunhan F, Delong L, Guizhi W. Population genomics and morphological features underlying the adaptive evolution of the eastern honey bee (Apis cerana). BMC Genomics 2019; 20:869. [PMID: 31730443 PMCID: PMC6858728 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6246-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The adaptation of organisms to changing environments is self-evident, with the adaptive evolution of organisms to environmental changes being a fundamental problem in evolutionary biology. Bees can pollinate in various environments and climates and play important roles in maintaining the ecological balance of the earth. Results We performed an analysis of 462 Apis cerana (A. cerana) specimens from 31 populations in 11 regions and obtained 39 representative morphological features. We selected 8 A. cerana samples from each population and performed 2b-RAD simplified genome sequencing. A total of 11,506 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci were obtained. For these SNPs, the minor allele frequency (MAF) was > 1%, the average number of unique labels for each sample was 49,055, and the average depth was 72.61x. The ratios of the unique labels of all samples were 64.27–86.33%. Conclusions Using 39 morphological characteristics as the data set, we proposed a method for the rapid classification of A. cerana. Using genomics to assess population structure and genetic diversity, we found that A. cerana has a large genetic difference at the ecotype level. A comparison of A. cerana in North China revealed that some physical obstacles, especially the overurbanization of the plains, have isolated the populations of this species. We identified several migration events in North China and Central China. By comparing the differences in the environmental changes in different regions, we found that A. cerana has strong potential for climate change and provides a theoretical basis for investigating and protecting A. cerana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Yancan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Tianle
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yunhan
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lou Delong
- Shandong Apiculture Breeding of Improved Varieties and Extension Center, 186 Wuma Street, Tai'an, 271000, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Guizhi
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an, 271018, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|